"Russia Supplies Refined Oil to North Korea... Barter Exchange of Weapons and Oil"

First Case of Direct Maritime Transport to North Korea Since Restrictions on Refined Oil Imports Imposed

Major foreign media reported on the 26th (local time) that Russia has recently begun directly supplying refined oil to North Korea by sea.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to an analysis of satellite images by the UK think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and major foreign media, at least five North Korean oil tankers have moved from Russia's Far East Vostochny Port since the 7th to load petroleum products. Foreign media reported that this is the first case of direct maritime transport to North Korea since the United Nations Security Council imposed strict restrictions on refined oil imports to North Korea in response to its nuclear tests in 2017.

RUSI estimated that the petroleum products supplied through Vostochny Port over several weeks could reach 125,000 barrels, which is one-quarter of the annual refined oil cap of 500,000 barrels allowed under UN sanctions against North Korea.

All of these vessels, registered as North Korean-flagged and petroleum product carriers, were observed to have docked at a pier operated by a Russian oil company at Vostochny Port to load petroleum products such as refined oil. Among them, two ships moved from there to North Korea's Chongjin Port.

Satellite images captured North Korean vessels at Vostochny Port on the 7th (Baekyangsan 1), the 10th (Wolbongsanho), the 14th (Geumjingang 3), and the 22nd (Ansan 1). Among these, Baekyangsan 1 was also photographed at Chongjin Port on the 13th.

Joseph Byrne, a RUSI researcher, pointed out, "The ships seen at the Russian port are some of North Korea's largest capacity oil tankers and continue to enter and leave the port," adding, "Some of these vessels are designated by the UN as sanctioned ships, so they should not be allowed to enter foreign ports, let alone transport oil."

North Korea and Russia have been closely cooperating since the Ukraine war. Although both sides deny it, evidence has been presented that North Korea supplies ammunition to Russia. According to RUSI, Russia and North Korea have used Vostochny Port as a hub port for arms transactions.